×
Old Mammoth Cave Road into Mammoth Cave National Park is pictured along with the sign for the park. James Brown/Glasgow News 1

Friends of Mammoth Cave receives grant for student learning

Oct 3, 2026 | 10:51 AM

STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1

Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park has received a grant to support field trips to the park, in-classroom activities and ranger-led programs for local students, according to a press release.

The release identifies the funder as the National Parks Foundation and describes it as the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. The Friends will share $4.7 million with 83 other grantees, according to the foundation’s website. The specific amount provided to Friends was not listed.

Friends of Mammoth Cave projects that the grant will reach 4,500 students in the park. The release also lists 8,000 local classrooms and around 5,000 through virtual learning.

The release said Open OutDoors for Kids helps national parks and park partners develop new educational experiences or expand existing offerings. Those experiences are designed to complement what students are learning in school.

The goal is to introduce children to national parks at a young age, according to the release. Organizers hope those experiences will foster appreciation for the outdoors and inspire the next generation of park stewards.

The announcement also invites people interested in volunteering or donating to support programs like these to contact Friends of Mammoth Cave.

Key Facts
– Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park received the grant.
– Funding will support field trips, classroom activities and ranger-led programs.
– Friends projects reaching 4,500 students at the park.
– Open OutDoors for Kids supports educational experiences tied to school learning.
– Hope Hawkins is the organization’s executive director.

What’s Next
People interested in volunteering or donating can contact Executive Director Hope Hawkins at mammothfriends@gmail.com. The announcement does not identify participating schools or explain how schools can arrange programs supported by the grant.

Comments

Leave a Reply